Robert Jones (* about 1577; † 1617) was an English lutenist and composer of the late Renaissance. To date, there is no information about his early period and education. In 1597 he obtained a Bachelor of Music degree from Oxford. Three years later the first of his five books of lute songs (ayres) was published and in 1601 a madrigal by him appeared in the collection ''The Triumphes of Oriana'' edited by Thomas Morley. In 1607 his own collection of madrigals was printed. This collection is scientifically proven to be afflicted with many (printing) errors since the printer was obviously not sufficiently qualified for his job. The book of madrigals by Robert Jones has survived only in his cantus and bass parts. However, nine pieces of it are complete in handwriting. Here the predominant influence of Thomas Morley is clearly visible.
In the group of English composers who published ayres for voice and lute between 1597 and 1622, Robert Jones was one of the most productive. After John Dowland published his first book of this new genre in 1597, Jones followed three years later with his first book, the title page of which followed Dowland's pattern almost literally. In addition, he also adopted Dowland's format in that he brought 21 pieces of the work in the manner of a table-book.
